Past Featured Speaker Series
Summer 2009
Spring 2009
Fall 2008
Summer 2008
Spring 2008
Fall 2007
Summer 2007
Spring 2007
Fall 2006
Grand Canyon: River at Risk - This film combines exhilarating river-rafting action on America's most iconic river, family fun and the grandeur of the Grand Canyon to tell an engaging story of how ordinary people can make a difference for our parched planet - one that is running out of clean, fresh water so fast that the U.N. estimates that 40% of the world could face shortages by the year 2050. Visit the film's website to learn more: http://www.grandcanyonadventurefilm.com/.
Make the Right Decision: Avoiding an Alcohol Tragedy - Sgt. Stacy Ettel from the University Police Department will present an entertaining and insightful discussion about choices people make when consuming alcohol. Sgt. Ettel has first-hand experience with an alcohol-related tragedy. He has been spreading his unique message to college students and other organizations in the Southeast for the last 20 years.
The Effects of Border Enforcement on Mexican Migrants' Choices - As migration reform has become a prominent policy issue, various proposals have been made regarding how to decrease the flow of illegal immigrants across the U.S.-Mexican border. The migration flow from Mexico is relevant to the United States since Mexico has been the most important source country for United States' illegal immigration. The ability to make effective policy requires a more complete understanding of how immigrants react to changes in immigration policies. As a result, it is relevant to analyze the overall U.S. - Mexico experience, the labor market consequences of immigrant inflows in the United States, and the effects of border enforcement on apprehension rates and duration of migration trips as well.
The New Geography of Latin American Immigration to the United States - Although Latin American immigration to the US is not a new phenomenon, increasingly immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean are migrating to "new destinations" in the South and Midwest in addition to the traditional gateway cities like Miami, New York, and Los Angeles. What is the impact of the rapid influx of new immigrants on communities as different as Jupiter, Florida and Marietta, Georgia? Why are state and local governments implementing new laws and ordinances targeting undocumented immigrants? Why hasn't the federal government stepped in to enact comprehensive immigration reform?
Keith Boykin
A graduate of Harvard Law School, Keith Boykin is one of America's
leading commentators on race and sexual orientation. He is the editor of The
Daily Voice, a BET host, a CNBC commentator, and the author of three New York
Times best-selling books. Keith is a founder and former president of the National
Black Justice Coalition, and served for two and a half years as the executive
director of the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum. Keith Boykin
is more than just an African-American and gay rights activist; he has become
the face and voice of a movement that some see as a logical extension of the
Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.
Jessica Weiner
Jess Weiner is an author, self-esteem expert, advice columnist, and media
personality, committed to transforming the self-esteem of women and girls
worldwide. She is a contributing editor for Seventeen Magazine, for which
she writes a monthly column dedicated to discussing body image and cultivating
a sense of body peace. Jess has authored two books, one of which, A Very Hungry
Girl, explores her own self discovery and recovery from an eating disorder
as a teenager. Her second book, Life Doesn’t Begin 5 Pounds From Now, looks
at how body image controls the way women think about every aspect of their
lives. She will be speaking in conjunction with National Eating Disorder Awareness
Week.
Jared Diamond
Jared Diamond is Professor of Geography at the University of California,
Los Angeles. He is the author of the recently published Collapse: How Societies
Choose to Fail or Succeed, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the widely
acclaimed Guns, Germs, and Steel: the Fates of Human Societies. His works
combine the fields of anthropology, biology, ecology, linguistics, genetics,
and history, and he will be speaking about his views of consumption, resource
use, and why societies succeed or fail because of their decisions on these
matters.
A Thirst for Change--Awareness to Action
Join us for a full evening of conversation related to contemporary- and sometimes
controversial- water issues, complementing the exhibition, Cross-Currents
in Recent Video Installation: Water as Metaphor for Identity. Much like the
artists in the Cross-Currents exhibition, the various perspectives will address
both the physical and symbolic qualities of water. Arrive at 6pm to view Wes
Skiles' Hidden River film and then stay for the discussion to follow.
Emmanual Jal
Once a child soldier on the front lines of combat in war-torn Sudan, Emmanuel
Jal has been hailed as the “rising star of African hip hop.” WARchild, his
third album and international solo debut, has launched Jal into the spotlight
for its profound, empowering message of peace and reconciliation. As the central
figure of the internationally acclaimed War Child documentary, Jal has quickly
become an international icon representing social justice and human rights.
Fred Pearce
In When the Rivers Run Dry, published in 2006, veteran science correspondent
Fred Pearce travels to more than thirty countries to examine the current state
of crucial water sources. Deftly weaving together the complicated scientific,
economic, and historic dimensions of the world water crisis, he provides our
most complete portrait yet of this growing danger and its ramifications for
us all.
Travis Roy
In the fall of 1995 Travis Roy accomplished
one of his dream goals by earning a hockey scholarship to Boston University.
Eleven seconds into his first game, his life changed forever as he crashed
into the boards and cracked his fourth and fifth cervical vertebra, paralyzing
him from the neck down. Despite this ill twist of fate, Roy has continued
to persevere and defy the odds. While coming to grips with his life as a quadriplegic,
he returned to Boston University less than a year after his accident. Four
years later, he graduated with a degree in public relations from Boston University's
prestigious College of Communication. In the storied history of BU Terriers
hockey, Roy's #24 is the only jersey to have been retired. Attend his talk
and be inspired to reach for your dreams while conquering hurdles along the
way.
Panel Discussion
Come learn about the Gainesville community and the work of non-profit organizations
in town. Many first-year students get involved in community service early
in their college career. Panelists will be: Kent Vann, St.
Francis House, Nkwanda Jah, Cultural
Arts Coalition, Gwen Gadaire, Arbor
House, and Tony Jones, Reichert
House. The panel will be moderated by Jeanna Mastrodicasa, Assistant Vice
President of Student Affairs. Themes: Involement
in the community, active citizenship, and local issues.
David Sutton & Casey Schmidt
In the Spring of 2008 a semi truck ran over UF PhD student Casey Schmidt while
he was riding his bike to campus. Firefighter/Paramedic David Sutton arrived
on scene to find that Casey was still alive thanks to his bicycle helmet.
Hear from both Casey and David as they retell the details of the accident
as well as help provide basic safety tips that may one day save your life
too. Themes: Personal responsibility, safety, and
decision-making.
Jill Lingard
In 2006, 19-year UF advising veteran Jill Lingard dropped out of normal life
for five months and attempted a 2,175-mile thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail.
What do endless climbs of mountains, bear sightings, stinky fellow hikers,
floods, and freeze dried food have to do with university life? Quite a bit,
actually! Come hear Jill's entertaining story of AT adventures and the meaning
they may hold for your own college journey. Themes:
Time management, making the most of your experience, and self-reflection.
Eric Flagg & Isaac Brown
Both UF Alums, they will share the film they wrote, directed and produced
called Gimme Green. The documentary is a humorous look at the American obsession
with the residential lawn and the effects it has on our environment, our wallets
and our outlook on life. From the limitless subdivisions of Florida to sod
farms in the arid southwest, Gimme
Green peers behind the curtain of the $40-billion industry that fuels
our nation's largest irrigated crop—the lawn. Themes: Common
Reading Program Book - When the Rivers Run Dry, global water crisis, and personal
responsibility.
February 6
Cartoonist Keith Knight
Knight is part of a new generation of talented young African-American artists who infuse their work with urgency, edge, humor, satire, politics and race. His art has appeared in various publications worldwide, including Salon.com, ESPN the Magazine, L.A. Weekly, MAD Magazine, the Funny Times and World War 3 Illustrated. Three of his comix were the basis of an award-winning live-action short film, Jetzt Kommt Ein Karton, in Germany. His comic art has appeared in museums and galleries from San Francisco (CA) to Angoulême (France).
Keith's work has been collected in six books so far: four collections of his multi-panel strip, the K Chronicles, and two collections of single panel strips & (th)ink anthologies titled Red,White, Black & Blue and most recently Are We Feeling Safer Yet?. He also co-wrote and illustrated The Beginner's Guide to Community-Based Art.
Read more at: http://www.kchronicles.com/.
March 24
Jean Kilbourne
Jean Kilbourne offers an in-depth analysis of how female bodies are depicted in advertising imagery and the devastating effects of that imagery on women's health. Addressing the relationship between these images and the obsession of girls and women with dieting and thinness, Slim Hopes offers a new way to think about life-threatening eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, and it provides a well-documented critical perspective on the social impact of advertising. Click here for flyer.
http://www.jeankilbourne.com.
April 16
Associate Professor Donna Cohen
Professor Cohen teaches in the School of Architecture at UF. Cohen will discuss her work on designing a sustainable home and cultural center for the orphanage, TunaHAKI, in Tanzania. Her team was chosen from more than 40 firms who applied through Architecture for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crises. This new home will provide hope for Tanzanian orphans as well as help support the local economy as the center will provide job opportunities for older children.
September 26
Elaine Pasqua
Co-sponsored with Panhellenic and IFC, Elaine Pasqua will present her lecture
“Sex in Excess: Surviving the Party.” Themes of alcohol use/abuse,
sexual assault, and sexual decision making will encourage the audience to
think about these issues in new ways.
October 10
Dr. Sally Karioth
Dr. Sally Karioth a nurse, teacher, writer, talk show hostess and nationally
renowned grief therapist, will present “Life is What You Make It –
Seize the Day!” The Goodman Speakers Bureau Inc. website remarks, “Some
public speakers make you laugh. Some speakers make you cry. Some speakers
make you look at life differently. Sally Karioth is a very special public
speaker, because she makes you do all three.”
October 16
Tracy Kidder
Tracy Kidder, author of Mountains Beyond Mountains, the text chosen
for the Common Reading Experience, will engage the audience in a conversation
about his interactions with Dr. Paul Farmer, the inspiration for this book.
November 6
Dedee DeLongpré
In collaboration with the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Dedee DeLongpré, the director of the University of Florida's Office of Sustainability, will present "Common Sense for our Common Future". She has a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Southern California with a concentration in entrepreneurial studies and a master's of business administration with an emphasis in sustainable management from the Presidio School of Management in San Francisco. She has experience in nonprofit management, primarily in the areas of education and the environment.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Joel Hartter
Joel Hartter a UF doctoral candidate in Geography will discuss the foundation
he started in Uganda to support libraries in rural Ugandan villages. Themes
of active citizenship and making a positive difference with your education
will be discussed. Please see: http://news.ufl.edu/2007/02/15/uganda-books/
for more information on Joel and his mission. For more information on his
Foundation for Children's Education in Uganda please visit: http://www.booksopentheworld.org.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Paul Doering
Paul Doering, a UF professor will present "Drugs of Abuse on College
Campuses: What's the Big Deal?" Students will have the opportunity to
identify physiological changes caused by drug use, discuss the primary and
secondary effects of drug usage, and identify why people use drugs. We will
discuss types and varieties of drugs used, social trends and perceptions of
drug use among college students.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Sgt. Stacy Ettel
Sgt. Stacy Ettel from the University Police Department will present an entertaining
and insightful discussion about choices people make when consuming alcohol.
Sgt. Ettel has been spreading his unique message to college students and other
organizations in the Southeast for the last 18 years.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
"Approaches to Empowering Haiti: Paul Farmer and Other Change Agents"
6:30-7:30pm, Reitz Union Rion Ballroom
Lecture given by: Benjamin Hebblethwaite, Lecturer in Haitian Creole at UF
Brought to you by the Common Reading Program
Spring 2007
February 6
Gainesville Issues Panel
This event is a panel about issues facing Alachua County as well as the importance
of active citizenship. Honorable Pegeen Hanrahan (The Gainesville Mayor),
Jeanna Mastrodicasa (City Commissioner) and Leah Zissimopulos (United Way)
will serve on the panel. A reception will follow.
February 22
Black History Month Speakers
In conjunction with the Black History Month Committee, the two fathers who
starred in the “Black.White” TV show on FX will share their experience
on the show. In addition, they will share their thoughts about race relations
and the continued discrimination that still exists today.
March 27
Dr. Lori Hart Ebert
In conjunction with Women's History Month and the Panhellenic Council and
Student Government Women's Affairs Cabinet, we present Dr. Lori Hart Ebert.
She will speak on issues of women's leadership and the college student experience.
April 4
Kate Bornstein
In conjunction with Pride Awareness Month we welcome Kate
Bornstein, a transgender author, playwright, and gender theorist. Kate's
most famous work is titled Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us.
Fall 2006
September 14
Dr. Sherrie Nist
Dr. Nist is the author of the FYF textbook, College Success Strategies. Nist
is also the author of College Rules! She received both her master's
and doctoral degrees from the University of Florida and is currently a Professor
and Director of the Division of Academic Enhancement at the University of
Georgia. Nist will engage the audience in a motivational presentation to prepare
students for their first year at UF.
September 27
Wendi Fox, Alcohol Insanity Tour
Wendi is a comedian who struggled with alcohol addiction and now travels to
campuses with an important message to send.
October 3
Karin Kratina
Karin Kratina, PhD, RD, LD/N is an author, speaker and nutrition therapist
who holds a masters degree in exercise physiology, a graduate certificate
in gender studies and a PhD in cognitive anthropology from UF. She has specialized
in the treatment of those with eating and weight issues since 1983 and currently
is the Nutrition Coordinator for the Eating Disorders Program at UF, has a
private practice in Gainesville, and is a consultant for Green Mountain at
Fox Run.. Her website is www.NourishingConnections.com.
November 14
Patti Ramey
Patti has been in higher education for over twelve years and will present
the amazing life of Mama D, one woman who used her full potential to help
and serve others.